STRONGSVILLE -- The Cleveland Water Department says a boil alert issued for parts of Strongsville has been lifted.

The alert was put into effect on Wednesday as a precaution after a 30-inch water main ruptured.

Excavation and repairs are ongoing at the site along Pearl Road.

The water main break forced a stretch of Pearl between Albion and the Valley View Parkway to close.  By early morning on Thursday one northbound lane was open.  Crews hope to have one southbound lane open later this afternoon.

All repairs to the road are expected to take three to five days.

Water service was restored to customers early Wednesday morning.

The rupture was first reported just after 3 a.m. on Wednesday. The force of the break created a geyser of water and caused the pavement to buckle.

Drivers headed south into Strongsville can still get to the Ohio Turnpike and the RTA Park and Ride station, but Pearl Road is closed after that.

Most commuters should use Royalton Road/S.R. 82 and I-71 to get in and out of the city.

Another detour, depending on the travel route, is to take Albion Road to Eastland Road and follow it onto Whitney Road.

WKYC-TV